Transforming Communities: A Story of Empowerment and Change in Kyrgyzstan

In the fight against violence against women and girls (VAWG), gender inequality and deeply ingrained social norms often pose significant challenges. While advancements on legal framework related to VAWG continues across the globe, these deeply ingrained social norms continues to make it difficult to accurately measure the prevalence of the crime. Kyrgyzstan, like many other countries, continues to grapple with these issues. A recent study by UNODC highlighted that a substantial percentage of both men and women in communities still believe that violence against women and children is justified.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, UNODC and the "Women Support Centre" in Kyrgyzstan launched an initiative aimed at promoting positive social norms and behaviours to prevent VAWG. The implemented approach centers the voices of survivors and women and girls in shaping solutions while engaging men and boys to become champions of the cause. Ensuring sustainability, UNODC and Women Support Centre emphasised the need for community driven initiatives and champions. The impact of this initiative was profound. Local GBV prevention committees were established across the country, comprising representatives from government bodies, law enforcement, women's committees, and community members. These committees developed survivor-centred prevention strategies and established robust referral mechanisms to support victims of violence.

One of the remarkable achievements was the mobilization of local resources. Through contributions from the state budget and active participation from communities, over $40,000 was generated to fund local GBV prevention initiatives. This not only demonstrates a commitment to addressing VAWG but also empowered grassroots initiatives and community-led awareness events.

A shining example of this collaborative effort is Sadovoe village, where a crisis centre was established with contributions from the local government. This centre serves as a beacon of hope and support for survivors, showcasing the tangible impact of community-driven solutions.

The culmination of this work was marked on March 27, 2024, during the Forum: “Local Gender-Based Violence Prevention Committees: Time for Action!" This event saw the participation of members of the Parliament of Kyrgyz Republic, representatives of the government, civil society organizations, the US Embassy, international organizations, and community members.

Deputy Chief of Mission for U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, Liz Zentos, emphasised that "developing community-based mechanisms and tools to fight gender-based violence is crucial. These mechanisms and tools, driven by the community and developed with the assistance of our partners, will provide the necessary tools and skills to handle gender-based violence cases effectively."

UNODC International Coordinator, Aisyah Yuliani, highlighted the implementation of the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) as a key strategy, forming core groups of gender champions who became powerful advocates for change, reducing resistance, and fostering a culture of respect and equality.

This initiative is a part of the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)-funded project which aims to promote effective investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence as well as to empower community stakeholders to develop and implement effective mechanisms and tools that prevent gender-based violence.